Russian Drones Sank Civilian Ship on NATO’s Black Sea Doorstep, Official Says

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1. 16m ago

   Russian drones sank civilian ship on NATO's Black Sea doorstep

   A 19,960-ton freighter carrying 421 containers was hit by drone boats 21 nautical miles off a NATO country's Black Sea coast, abandoning ship 12 minutes after the alarm, and sank around midnight. This incident is part of a surge in attacks on cargo vessels off the coast of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria. The Black Sea has become the world's deadliest waterway due to Russian drone attacks.

   Why it matters

   The escalating fighting between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov has led to increased attacks on cargo vessels. NATO states on the Black Sea, including Romania and Bulgaria, are being drawn into the Ukraine war escalation. The security deterioration in the Black Sea is prompting responses from countries like France, which has extended the stay of its maritime patrol plane.

   What is confirmed

   • At least 12 merchant ships have been attacked by drones in the Black Sea.
   • Nine ships were attacked off Bulgaria and Romania in a month.
   • The Black Sea is now considered the world's deadliest waterway due to Russian strikes.
   • A Greek container ship, CONTSHIP JET, was sunk by sea drones off Bulgaria's coast on October 28.
   • Bulgarian Navy rescued 14 Filipino crew members after a drone sank a container ship in the Black Sea.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The maritime drone that struck the CONTSHIP JET was likely a Russian-developed Murena-300S or a modified version of that model.

   What to watch next

   • Further responses from NATO countries to the increased drone attacks in the Black Sea
   • Investigations into the origin and responsibility for the drone attacks
   • Impact on shipping and trade in the region
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. www.newsweek.com — Correction policies and requests
   2. Reuters — War widens in the Black Sea in a test of NATO red lines
   3. CNN — Russian drone attacks turn the Black Sea into the world’s deadliest waterway
   4. Autonocion.com — A 19,960-ton freighter hauling 421 containers to Romania took three hits from drone boats 21 nautical miles off a NATO country's Black Sea coast, its 18 sailors abandoned ship 12 minutes after the alarm, and it sank around midnight, the fifth merchant vessel st
   5. www.straitstimes.com — How NATO states on the Black Sea are being drawn into Ukraine ...
   6. www.newsweek.com — Russian Drones Sank Civilian Ship on NATO’s Black Sea Doorstep, Official Says
   7. Novinite.com — Nine Ships Attacked Off Bulgaria and Romania In a Month as Black Sea Security Deteriorates
   8. fakti.bg — CNN: The Black Sea is now the most dangerous waterway due to ...
   9. Marine Insight — Bulgarian Navy Rescues 14 Filipino Crew Members After Drone Sinks Container Ship In Black Sea
   10. AP News — Drone attacks in Black Sea pose new challenges to Bulgarian border police, in photos
   11. Newsweek — Russian drones sank civilian ship on NATO’s doorstep, official says
   12. Reuters — How NATO states on the Black Sea are being drawn into Ukraine war escalation
   confidence 85%